ache: holy yearning to be compassionate toward others

As I watch my husband struggle with severe pain, see him crawl up the stairs on all fours and wince with every movement, I ache for the loss of his previous capacity, and I ache again for my inability to fully support him through our changed circumstances.

Though God’s perfect love can stretch itself infinitely to meet a need, gives and gives again, without counting the cost or seeking to receive, oh how hard it can be for frail, weak humanity to give unconditionally!

We need a lot of grace, Holy Spirit help, strength and inspiration, recognition of our limitations and complete dependence on Him.

Prayer is essential too…

Dear Father,

I want to expend myself in love, but only by your equipping and grace, with the right people at the right time, especially those who you bring into my orbit and sphere of influence.

Otherwise, I might be tempted to exhaust myself in love, to give beyond my God-given capacity, quickly become empty, drained and dry, weary in well-doing.

Because loving others is often hard, messy and challenging work we need your help with. It can be a demanding, difficult and time-consuming task. We all shy away at times from the inconvenience it causes and the commitment it asks of us.

We need your help with showing compassion and love, for we are imperfect, broken human beings trying to serve people who are just like us—those who may upset, frustrate and disappoint us, just as we might do to them.

Our drive and desire to love others derives from you alone and our ability to love well rests on being inspired and fired with Holy Spirit fuel. As we abide and receive from you, may we learn not to hoard your love but to freely share it with others.

As you lavish your waterfall of grace on us, may we absorb it to the full, then gratefully pour it out to bless and refresh others as well.

Fit us to live and love well. Show us how to impact lives for good and not for ill. May we model ourselves on our Saviour Lord, all the while knowing His lifeblood flows within, giving us the capacity to care as we dwell in Him.

May we be aware that each person we meet is a precious child of God. May we ache to be compassionate, as your Spirit leads and guides us.

Show us numerous ways in which we can demonstrate your love, while we aim to reveal your goodness and grace. Teach us how to reach out to all you would have us bless—beginning in our homes and neighbourhood.

May we always remember to be kind. Let us never forget how much has been given to us. May we rest in your love and become replenished, refuelled in your presence.

May we also learn to become gracious recipients by allowing others to show your compassionate care when they minister to us in our hour of need.

Amen

“My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows we have been given new life. We are now God’s children and we know him. God is love..” ~ 1 John 4: 7-8 CEV

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4 thoughts on “ache: holy yearning to be compassionate toward others”

Dear Joy, Oh this overflows with the comfort that God has given to you my dear friend! This especially is reaching into my heart today: “Show us how to impact lives for good and not for ill. May we model ourselves on our Saviour Lord, all the while knowing His lifeblood flows within, giving us the capacity to care as we dwell in Him.” Our own love runs so short, doesn’t it? But somehow, Jesus gives us just enough of HIS love to comfort our own hearts, and then that waterfall overflows onto those around us. I am so sorry for the pain you bear in watching your dear one suffer so. May the Lord bless you with beauty together, as you both lift each other to Him. Love and Hugs! xoxo

Dear Bettie, I’m so pleased you can sense the comfort God has given me in this prayer! Yes, “our own love runs so short” and we definitely need a fresh infilling from the Lord on a daily (if not more frequently) basis. Thankfully, Jesus is lavish with His love and amply supplies us with all we need and more besides. It’s so hard when our loved ones suffer, isn’t it? Somehow our own struggle and pain seem to pale in comparison. Maybe we gain a bit of an insight into how our Lord’s heart must ache for us? Love and hugs to you! xoxo

I’m so sorry for your pain and feelings of helplessness in watching your husband suffer, Joy. I’m sorry for his pain, too. It must be so hard for him to not be able to help you either like he used to. May God give you both grace, strength, and peace!

Oh yes, we definitely need a fresh filling of Jesus’ love day by day, don’t we? I long for this with you – “As you lavish your waterfall of grace on us, may we absorb it to the full, then gratefully pour it out to bless and refresh others as well.” Love and hugs to you!

Oh, Trudy, your sweet compassionate heart is a beautiful thing! Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers. We definitely do need “grace, strength and peace” during these more challenging days. It’s reassuring to know that God’s waterfall of grace flows continually and lavishly. There is never a shortfall of supply! Love and hugs to you, too, dear friend. xo <3

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Hi, I'm Joy. Welcome to my blog. I write about my journey of life and faith with the goal of helping others toward greater freedom in knowing who they are in Christ.
And to reveal, as I share words of joy and encouragement, how beauty can spring forth from brokenness and hope shines bright even in dark circumstances.